Which Way is Up? (1977)
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20% of critics liked it
(10 reviews) -
82% of users liked it
(2,142 ratings)
This Americanized remake of Lina Wertmuller's The Seduction of Mimi offered audiences the novelty of seeing Richard Pryor performing three different roles in the same film. Which Way Is Up? tells the tale of Leroy Jones (Pryor), a poor orange picker who gets fired from his job when he… More This Americanized remake of Lina Wertmuller's The Seduction of Mimi offered audiences the novelty of seeing Richard Pryor performing three different roles in the same film. Which Way Is Up? tells the tale of Leroy Jones (Pryor), a poor orange picker who gets fired from his job when he accidentally joins a worker's union during a demonstration. He is forced to travel to Los Angeles and abandon his family, which includes his wife, Annie Mae (Margaret Avery), and his perpetually randy father, Rufus (also Pryor). While there, he falls in love with labor organizer Vanetta (Lonette McKee), but is soon rehired by his former employers when they realize he is easily manipulated. Back home, Leroy discovers his new managerial role alienates him from his former friends as he tries to divide his time between Annie Mae and Vanetta. When he discovers Annie Mae has been impregnated by the Reverend Lennox Thomas (Pryor's 3rd role) during his absence, Leroy sets his sights on seducing Lennox's wife. The resulting film had ambition to spare, but was generally panned as an inferior remake by the critics and failed to find a mass audience. However, Which Way Is Up? gained a second lease on life via cable and home video and has become a cult favorite with Pryor's fans. ~ Donald Guarisco, Rovi
- Directed By
- Michael Schultz
- Written By
- Lina Wertmüller, Carl Gottlieb, Cecil M. Brown
- Genres
- Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- Nov 1, 1977 Wide
- Studio
- Universal Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Clunky 1977 Richard Pryor comedy really looks dated now.
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Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
Pryor should have stuck with concert films.
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Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
Should have stayed in the vault.
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Kevin N. Laforest, Apollo Guide
As unfunny as it gets. Worse, it's misogynist and an embarrassment to the race.
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Scott Weinberg, DVD Clinic
Hardcore Pryor fans may disagree, but very little about Which Way Is Up? is all that compelling, and it's very rarely funny.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Richard Pryor
as Leroy Jones, Rev. Thomas, Rufus Jones
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Lonette McKee
as Vanetta
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Margaret Avery
as Annie Mae
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Morgan Woodward
as Mr. Mann
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Marilyn Coleman
as Sister Sarah
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Bebe Drake
as Thelma
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Gloria Edwards
as Janelle
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Ernesto Hernandez
as Reyes Boy
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Diane Rodrigues
as Estrella
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Daniel Valdez
as Chuy Estrada
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DeWayne Jessie
as Sugar
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Morgan Roberts
as Henry
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Dolph Sweet
as The Boss
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Luis Valdez
as Ramon Juarez
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Pat Ast
as Hooker
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Marc Alaimo
as Frankie
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Victor Argo
as Angel
- Kathy Cronkite
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Ron Cummins
as Photographer
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Evelyn Dutton
as Receptionist
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Carmen Filpi
as Wino
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Terrence Locke
as Assassin
- Ted Markland
- Ralph Montgomery
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Harry Northrup
as Chief Goon
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Korla Pandit
as Hindu
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Clifford A. Pellow
as White Boss
- Hank Robinson
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Spo-De-Odee
as Cripple
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Bob Terhune
as Goon
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Tim Thomerson
as Tour Guide
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Joe Turkel
as Harry
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Hank Worden
as Flunky
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Paul Mooney
as Inspector
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George More O'Ferrall
as Reporter
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Tanya Lynne Lee
as Althea
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Eddie Smith
as Men at Picnic
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Angela Wilson
as Dawn
- Louise Johnson
- Blair Burrows
- Otis Day
